The DGCA has reprimanded the vice-president (VP) of Vistara airline’s pilot training due to deficiencies in the conversion training of pilots, specifically in transitioning narrow-body pilots to operate wide-body aircraft. Vikram Mohan Dayal, the VP of Training at the full-service carrier, has been temporarily suspended by the aviation authority, prompting the airline to seek a replacement.

Sources from the airline confirmed the development stating, “Dayal assumed the role of VP of Training in May 2020. After the DGCA issued a show cause notice, our VP of Training responded, but the regulator deemed the response inadequate, leading to increased scrutiny on our airline by the DGCA. Furthermore, Dayal’s suspension was attributed to deficiencies in the conversion training procedures outlined by the DGCA, which ensure pilots can operate aircraft different from those they are accustomed to.”